Anne Boleyn: The Final 24 hours

by Marcella Mayfair

19th May 1536 By mid morning, Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, will be dead. This is the story of the dramatic final 24 hours of the life of Anne Boleyn. The story is told in a compelling minute by minute countdown which ends with her final walk to the scaffold, and her beheading by the hangman of Calais' sword. The book describes the actions and thoughts of some the leading players during those final 24 hours including Thomas Cranmer, Chapuys, Jane Seymour, Lady Mary, Sir William Kingston, Thomas Wyatt and, of course, the three principle players... Henry VIII - what was he doing as the woman he moved heaven and earth to marry faced execution. Did he feel remorse? Did he feel hatred? Did he feel anything at all? Thomas Cromwell - widely accepted as the engineer behind the downfall of the queen. Did he feel guilt that even Chapuys was not convinced by the charges which sent Anne to her death? Anne Boleyn - just how did she manage to walk to the scaffold and address the the crowd so bravely? How did she cope with the continual postponement of the execution? And what did she think of the men that would send her to the grave? A new take on one of the most infamous days in English history ...the clock is ticking and, for the Queen of England, it cannot be stopped.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Tudor Period, Royalty, British Literature, Adult

170 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2016

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 4:50am on the 18th May, 1536 and it is four hours to the scheduled time of Anne Boleyn’s execution… She is hearing Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, saying mass and attended by ladies – some sympathetic and some little more than spies. She is attended by Margaret Wyatt, whose brother Thomas is also held prisoner in the Tower (although he was not amongst the men executed the day previously, who included Lord Rochford, the Queen’s brother), her former nurse, Mary Orchard and her twelve year old niece, Katherine Carey, who is rumoured to be the daughter of the King by her sister Mary – others include either her aunt, Elizabeth Wood, or the wife of the Constable of the Tower, Sir William Kingston.

Anne Boleyn last stayed in the Queens Apartments before her Coronation. Now she is a prisoner, with Cromwell informing Sir William that he expects reports on Anne’s behaviour. Keen to control the messages she sends, Anne insists on Sir William being present when she makes her confession to repudiate the charges against her. Veering, understandably, close to hysteria, everyone – including Anne herself - is keen to get this execution over and done with. However, there will be a delay of 24 hours. A delay in which Anne may scent hope, but which has more to do with politics and the image, much tarnished, of the King.

This is a really interesting read, which looks at the last day of Anne Boleyn through the eyes of those around her – from Cromwell, Thomas Wyatt, Cranmer, Jane Seymour, Henry, Mary and others. They range from those hoping to benefit from the spoils of the change of power from the Boleyn faction to that of the Seymour’s, to Anne’s sister, banished to the countryside and unsure whether she should contact Cromwell or stay safe, out of sight. To be fair, this is a story that I know well, but I highly recommend it; especially if you are not as familiar with the events. It is a well written and interesting account. I will certainly be reading the next in the series, which looks at the last day in the life of Richard III.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did a full review for this book but it has somehow just dropped off goodreads!

[Jayne Quince · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and moving perspective

I found this method of telling the story of Anne's execution an interesting one .There is little doubt she was innocent of the charges brought against her but her fate was set. Brave and dignified in death.

[Juliew. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this offered nothing new in the way of Anne's execution.However,it was very interesting for the way it offered glimpses of most of the main players in Anne's story at the time of her death.What was her father,Thomas Boleyn,Henry VIII,Jane Seymour,Thomas Cromwell and many others thinking,feeling and doing during her final hours and at the very moment her head was struck from her body?The book counts down the hours left while establishing who's perspective we are reading with each passing hour. I thought the execution scene was well written and compelling and I would recommend it for someone wanting to know more about what occurred one spring day between May 18 and 19,1536 in London, England.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so bone chilling! I am not familiar with this part of the history at all so diving into this book was a very informative experience.

I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that a woman was executed just like that because her husband, the king, accused her of adultery with multiple men - one of them being her own brother. This sounds so very absurd but to think that such things really happened in the past is a truly harrowing thought.

I very much liked this style of writing - an account of the days' events in a beautiful manner and especially the reaction of every political identity involved with Anne in some way post the execution.

Marvelous.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would call this a docu-drama in book form, as it isn't a scholarly text, but it isn't straight up historical fiction, but instead an attempt to recreate the last day of Anne Boleyn's life, sticking to the facts, but filling in a few holes here and there with plausible speculation and ascribing very possible motives to the various actions and people involved.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5star read from beginning to end

[Janina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was'nt sure I was going to like this at the start I have read so many accounts of the last hours and moments of Anne Boleyn, I didn't think this book would enlighten me,however this is written as a time line of events in the last 24 hours before Anne's execution. Mixing fact and fictionalised accounts the author gives an insight to what may have been going through the minds of the key players central to those final hours. I could only give 4* due to too many grammatical errors, so needs another proof read, but on the whole I can recommend this book as it is a good quick read that has good pace.

[Gerri Leen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting way to present the story. But it assumes a level of knowledge that I think might make it somewhat inaccessible to the casual reader. I've read enough Tudor history, particularly of Henry VIII, to know what the references were to. But really this is sort of cliffnotes or a Dateline type thing. I appreciated the fresh take in format but didn't really see a lot that was new here and while this is presented as factual initially, in the afterword, she admits she at times plays with fact to make it a more impactful fiction. And made up what people were feeling. Which is fine, fiction does that, but again, this is somewhat portrayed as fact. Also, I'm not sure the story needs the fiction: there's a reason most people know who Anne Boleyn is. The story is compelling without any additional creative embellishments.

This is a very quick read I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could but it doesn't let me so I'm going to settle on a 2 because "it was ok" is more accurate than "I liked it." .

[Marty Mcintyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read enough Tudor history to be very familiar with this story. For me, the author's suppositions of what Anne Boleyn's final hours were like was very compelling. Did her detractors who knew she was not guilty feel any sympathy for her? Did her realization that she was not going to be pardoned and the abject terror that followed as she awaited her death make her understand that she should have been more gracious in the presence of her enemies.? For me the final indignity that she had no coffin/grave provided and that Henry VIII demanded her clothing be returned to him made me dislike him that much more.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this compelled

I bought this feeling compelled by the title. It was a decent read, but then I'm one of those "Anne fans"so I would be compelled. I didn't like the character of the aunt of Anne - I think she was over-egged as the "baddie." I would have liked a bit of a view into Anne's thoughts - it would have been interesting to get the author's take on Anne's perspective on what was happening on the last morning. For a novella it was a thrill to pick up but a bit of a top-down the end. Entertaining but could have been so much more compelling.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A four and a half. Very well written story, blending fact and fiction regarding the last 24 (actually, 35) hours of the life of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII and Queen of England. Anne was very controversial during her lifetime and remains possibly even more so after her death and Mayfair does a very good job with the juxtaposition of personal opinions of Anne's character.

All in all, if you are a Tudor fan as I am, I recommend!

[RG Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the authors approach to this novel quite interesting. The format , timeline and characterization kept the story moving and was able to keep my interest throughout. It was quite obvious that some of the passages were created however they were done with a true sense of reality. Anyone that has an interest of history in this timeframe would find this novel not only compelling but also informative of the duplicity and cunning of some of Anne's family and so called friends.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

I am and have been and always will be a student of British history. I have a degree in it so I know just about everything during the period and have seen movies, tv shows and read the various books on Anne Boleyn so it’s hard for me to get into anything that covers what I e already learned. This book was not the case! Compelling is my word for it. I was hooked. It felt like I was there in real time. Amazing! I loved it! Well done!

[SCS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annoying Work of Historical Fiction

Making sweeping statements without proof was a huge problem in this book for me. There needs to be fact to back up an author's assertions; none was ever provided. Statements made by the author without validity are no more than conjecture. This is fiction. Historical fiction. And the book's end produced an incomplete work.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was different than I expected. It was more fictional than I expected. I guess I had hoped for more reports of things she may have actually said since I know there were spies planted with her to make reports of everything she said and did.
It was interesting to read the timeline style that the author chose, however.

[Leo Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible read!

As a lover of history and being drawn to the Tudor period especially, this book has been by far a fantastic read! Anne Boleyn has always been my favourite of Henry's wives.
Marcella's book really places you there, looking from the outside in.
Thank you and to anyone who is thinking of reading this, you'd be foolish not to!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short story

An easy read containing fact as well as fiction, this added to complete the full 24 hours story. I enjoyed reading this.

[Aaron Surtees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

I would recommend this book to anyone as it is so easy to read, well written and factual. I really enjoyed reading this book. Thank you too the author.

[Dylan Gillam · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

This book was a great read it took you back to the time and the people and feeling of the main people surrounding the fall of Anne Boleyn

[Mrs S Thorogood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite disappointed.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

Quick read but an interesting one. Definitely recommend this. I hope to read more of the authors last 24 books

[David Stimpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book .. Interesting way of Telling a Story

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed fictionalized historical timeline

This book actually covers more than 24 hours to include events preceding and following the execution of Anne Boleyn.

In the form of a timeline, the reader is privy to the thoughts, words and actions of the principal players in this most important historical drama.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book that did a good job of trying to convey what must have been going through the minds of all involved with the execution of Anne Boleyn, including the woman herself. It was a quick read with many factual details, as well as some of the more entertaining legends and possible-facts to have come out of those two fateful days in May.

The greatest achievement of this book though may be what is sure to be its ability to extract sympathy from even the greatest of Anne Boleyn's detractors. Even today, while virtually most, if not all agree that she was not guilty of the crimes for which she was put to death, people still fall into camps as to whether she was a great tragic martyr or a harlot who ultimately got what she deserved.

As noted above, however, it seems impossible that any reader could read this book without feeling sympathy for Anne. This is evident in how Mayfair most notably portrays the feelings of Chapuys, a diplomat for Spain, who was a close friend of Katherine of Aragon and her daughter, the Lady Mary. In spite of all that Anne had done towards those two women, he recognized that she did not deserve to die for the crimes she was accused of and was torn in regards to her execution. In short, a great injustice was done to her, and she handled it with a poise and grace that one cannot help but admire.

All told, this was a fascinating book and a must-read for anyone that is a fan of Tudor history.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANNE BOLEYN: The Final 25 Hourd

Combining fact and fiction, Queen Anne Boleyn, consort and 2nd wife of Henry VII are documented from the points of view of Kingston, her jailer, Cromwell, Archbishop Cramner, the Lady Mary, the King and Anne herself.
Convicted of crimes she did not commit, Anne faces her destiny with grace while the men and women who assisted in her downfall both rejoice at her fate and try to justify their actions. Well written and a real page turner.

[Jim Swike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, broken down hour by hour, Anne Boleyn's last day, the emotions that she felt and said in that last day. Well-done. Enjoy!

[Laurie Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Factual.

This was a really fact fence book, that was also a quick and enjoyable read. I will say that it could have used some line editing. In many cases the wrong tense of a word was used, such as made instead of make.
If you want to get into the heads of the key players involved in the execution of Anne Boleyn, this is the book for you.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this perspective